YEARS of struggling up narrow stairs for disabled passengers and parents with pushchairs could come to an end after Ealing Council launched a petition to install lifts at three busy stations.

Councillors are calling on residents to show their support before approaching Transport for London (TfL) to lobby them for the step-free access at Northolt, Greenford and Perivale stations.

Residents remember sorely the failed hopes for a lift at Greenford which were squashed in 2009 after TfL pulled the funding on the £10 million project despite a third of that already being spent.

The council's transport chief Councillor Bassam Mahfouz said he has researched costs which come in well under TfL's original estimate for all three stations - Northolt could cost £2.15m, Greenford £1.88m and Perivale £2.74m.

He said: "We will be writing to TfL and the Mayor of London making them an offer that TfL, in these austere times, just can't refuse: Show us the money and we will show great value for money across these areas."

The news has been welcomed by residents, some of whom were forced to put up with a broken escalator for more three months at Greenford earlier this year.

Frank Kilduff, chairman of North Greenford Residents' Association, said: "It's great news. But TfL have a plan which covers a five year period and there just isn't any money at all in that plan. It gives the impression there's no room for manoeuvre. If Bassam can look at it again, he's got the backing of a strong feeling locally especially at those three stations. And if you can do all three for the same price as one, it's great news."

Ealing North MP Steve Pound is equally thrilled after years of lobbying for a lift at Greenford.

He said: "Thank heavens someone's using a bit of imagination for once instead of thinking of reasons why it can't be done. He's come up with a far lower figure which clearly changes the game. Boris says he's in favour of a lift but doesn't have the money. Bassam's using his brain and not simply being put down by the negativism of City Hall."

A TfL spokeswoman said the costs would have to be explored further, but that the council's estimates may only account for the capital costs while the real price could be higher.